Lawyers Marc-André Blanchard, chairman and chief executive of McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Kate Broer, a partner and national co-chair of diversity and inclusion at Dentons Canada, will be recognized with Catalyst Canada Honours for their efforts to champion of women in the legal profession.

Blanchard and Broer are among five Canadian business leaders that will be presented with the awards on Oct. 21 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

“Our honourees challenge the status quo and give talented women opportunities to advance in their careers. By action and example, they set the gold standard in their industries and in the Canadian business community,” said Alex Johnston, executive director of Catalyst Canada. “These extraordinary individuals are business leaders, risk-takers and role models who, through their actions, inspire others to step up and become Champions themselves.”

Blanchard is being honoured for his efforts to boost the number of women admitted to equity partnership. “In the three years before Mr. Blanchard became CEO, 18% of those admitted to equity partnership were women; more recently this number has risen to 35%, even as the total number of new partners fell from 33 to 23.”

Broer is being recognized for her work at ensuring that a diverse slate of talented candidates is considered for leadership positions at the firm. “When the firm underwent its recent combination to become Dentons, Ms. Broer ensured that the company’s focus on women in leadership was not lost.”

Blanchard and Broer are the first two lawyers to receive the annual awards, which are in their fourth year. Three other business leaders are receiving awards this year: Lorraine Mitchelmore, president and country chair and executive vice president of heavy oil with Shell Canada Ltd.; Susan Allen, assurance partner and international team leader in the global assurance quality review group at PwC Canada; and Colleen Johnston, group head finance, sourcing and corporate communications and chief financial officer with TD Bank Group.